Answer to Question #4960 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Category: Radiation Workers — Pregnant Workers

The following question was answered by an expert in the appropriate field:

I'm a veterinary nurse. I'm concerned because I'm doing approximately two to eight x rays per week. I might be pregnant.

There should be no need for concern if you are following general radiation protection practices. First, when possible, you should be at least six feet away or behind a shielded barrier when the x rays are taken. If that is not possible, you should be wearing a lead apron that is at least 0.25 mm lead equivalent (there is a tag on the apron that tells you the lead equivalency).

Either of these will result in little or no scatter radiation exposing your abdomen.

If you want to know what your actual exposure is, you would need to request a radiation badge from your employer (or obtain one on your own).

We do hundreds of x rays each week at my organization. When individuals are pregnant and want to wear a second radiation badge under the apron at the abdominal level, we get them one. For those in an x-ray area who wear lead aprons or don't have to be in the room when the x ray is on, that second badge has always come back with a zero reading. That is always comforting to know.

Kelly Classic
Certified Medical Health Physicist

Answer posted on November 3, 2005. The information and material posted on this Web site is intended as general reference information only. Specific facts and circumstances may alter the concepts and applications of materials and information described herein. The information provided is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be relied upon in the absence of such professional advice specific to whatever facts and circumstances are presented in any given situation. Answers are correct at the time they are posted on the Web site. Be advised that over time, some requirements could change, new data could be made available, or Internet links could change. For answers that have been posted for several months or longer, please check the current status of the posted information prior to using the responses for specific applications.